Goddess of Love (Goddess Summoning #5)(28)

"I do." Pea nodded enthusiastically.

"And do you approve, my lady?" He stepped back dramatically so that Venus could have a full view of Pea.

The goddess approached Pea, studying her carefully. She stroked the sleeve of Pea's cashmere sweater, which stopped just above the waistline of her slacks to show the faintest hint of skin when she moved. "You must wear this blush color often. It makes your skin radiant. And remember, you've worked hard for that lovely curved waist - stop being afraid to show it." Pea pulled self-consciously at the sweater. "I know," Venus said, with sudden inspiration. "Think of it as you do that wonderful car you drive."

"Huh?"

"You said it was quite costly."

"Yeah, but worth every penny."

"And you worked very hard for each of those pennies?"

"Definitely."

"After working so hard and attaining something so beautiful you wouldn't hide it away in the car house, would you?"

"Garage," Pea said, with a hasty look at Fabio, but he was rummaging through the blouses.

"Whatever," Venus said. "The point is you wouldn't hide it."

"No, I wouldn't even think of it."

"Then think of your body like your car. You worked hard for both. Both are beautiful. Neither should be hidden."

"I never thought of it that way before."

"Like pleasure, beauty should be savored and enjoyed."

"Brilliant!" Fabio gushed, finally pulling himself away from the waiting blouses. "Like pleasure, beauty should be savored and enjoyed." He sighed dramatically and then impulsively went to Venus and squeezed one of her hands. "My God! You have put my entire life's philosophy into one exquisite sentence. I have to tell you how much I have enjoyed assisting the two of you this afternoon. It has - " Fabio hesitated. Obviously moved, he had to dab at his eyes and draw in a deep, cleansing breath. "It has been a life changing experience."

"Oh, darling." Venus patted his cheek kindly. "Love and beauty were created to change lives."

She cocked her head and studied Fabio carefully before she continued. "And, yes, you should open that business you've been considering."

Fabio gasped and clutched his pearls. "Ohmygod! How ever did you know I was thinking of opening my own boutique?"

Venus waved her hands dismissively. "Let's just call it woman's intuition, shall we? And I also sense that your boutique will be a very popular place."

"Fit for a goddess?" Fabio asked breathlessly.

"Absolutely, darling." Then, while Fabio was redabbing his eyes and reapplying his lip gloss, Venus turned her attention back to Pea. Her eyes traveled down the length of the fitted gray tweed slacks that were cropped cleverly so that Pea's shapely calves were visible. "Exquisite. A perfect fit. Now add that black leather jacket and you will be conservative enough for daywear at your job, and you'll look appropriately alluring." Venus smiled at Pea's reflection in the mirror.

"Because looking alluring is always appropriate."

"So says the Goddess of Love." Pea grinned back at her.

The short, stout saleslady whose gilded name tag read Donna Vivian stuck her head into the large dressing suite. "Fabio, how are your ladies doing?"

Fabio, recovering from his burst of emotion, gestured grandly at Pea. "Perfection! We have attained perfection."

"Excellent. If there is anything else your ladies need, I'll be tidying the Marc Jacobs collection."

Donna Vivian began to discreetly disappear, but Venus motioned for her to join them in the dressing suite. "Darling, your hair is impeccable."

Donna Vivian inclined her head slightly, accepting the compliment with the special grace of those who cater to the very rich. "Thank you, madam."

Venus continued to study her hair. "Fabio, don't you agree that the color is perfection itself."

Fabio nodded. "Of course. Donna Vivian is known for her impeccable taste." He sniffed and added, "She and I use the same colorist."

Venus smiled brightly at Fabio and Donna Vivian. "Then may I ask who does your hair?"

"But of course, madam. The cut and color are done by Farah, the master hair stylist and colorist at Cypress Avenue Salon," Donna Vivian said.

"The cute little place on South Utica?" Pea asked.

"Exactly," Fabio said.

"Good. We'll go there next," Venus said.

"Oh, dear." Fabio looked flustered and Donna Vivian shook her head sadly back and forth. "I'm afraid it takes weeks to get an appointment with Farah. And it's Sunday. Cypress Avenue is one of the few upscale salons in Tulsa actually open on Sunday, which makes them incredibly busy today, but it makes me totally distraught to tell you this. There is no possible way you can get in. The best I can do is to give you her card so you may call for an appointment." Fabio squeezed Venus's arm apologetically. "I am ever so sorry."

Venus smiled sweetly. "Her card would be perfect, and don't you worry yourself about us not being able to get in. Oh, and we will take them," Venus said.

"Them?" Donna Vivian and Fabio asked together.

"All of them." Venus's grand gesture included all of the clothes hanging from the half-dozen ivory hooks. "And she'll wear the outfit she has on. Oh, Fabio, darling, don't you think those adorable silver pumps we just purchased will go perfectly with what Pea is wearing?"